Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan - now

The presence of American troops on Asian soil in Iraq and Afghanistan is realistically untenable. To increase our contingent there is sheer folly. It has become a war of habit, now longer a war either of choice or of necessity.

As long as there is no foreseeable end to the war, it wastes American lives and inexorably bankrupts our country at a time of extreme economic crisis and joblessness. Tons of money and lives swallowed in a hell hole.

We need to negotiate the replacement of American forces by forces from Islamic countries, engaging the Arab League. The replacement forces probably should not be from Islamic nations contingent to Iraq or Afghanistan. We have to negotiate the withdrawal by calling for a U.N. world conference to secure diplomatic help and good will for our withdrawal. It's that, or bankrupt our country.

We cannot be too proud to admit we were wrong following a misbegotten Bush strategy. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton should follow Kissinger's example in withdrawing from Vietnam. She should make deals, even offer indemnification for damages and suffering. Let's get real and save our country from further economic and moral ruin.

Marion J. Reis

Wheaton